47 Ronin director sentenced for $11m Netflix fraud

47 Ronin director Carl Rinsch has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for defrauding Netflix to the tune of $11m (£8.30m) while shooting a drama for the streamer.

Rinsch was convicted last year on charges of wire fraud, money laundering and making illegal transactions over the fate of White Horse, a series that the 48-year-old had been producing.

The show was picked up by Netflix’s former content chief Cindy Holland in 2018 for more than $40m, according to US reports.

Two years later, Rinsch, who previously directed Keanu Reeves-starring 47 Ronin, asked for an additional $11m to complete the project, which had been renamed Conquest. However, Netflix saw only a few clips of footage and pulled the project in 2021, writing off more than $55m in the process.

Reeves was one of several people who attested to the filmmaker’s mental health issues after he was found guilty by a jury last December for money laundering and wire fraud.

The Hollywood star told Manhattan judge Jed Rakoff that medication “misuse” and other factors exacerbated issues in his work and life. When the sci-fi series encountered production issues in late 2019 Netflix subsequently sent Rinsch the additional $11m to complete the show.

However, the filmmaker used the funds on crypto and luxury purchases including a Rolls Royce. The series never wrapped and Netflix wrote off the amount.

Despite prosecutors arguing for a sentence of up to 11 years, Rakoff said he felt two-and-a-half years was sufficient. He also ordered Rinsch to pay around $11m in restitution even though it is unlikely the streamer will recover the full amount.

In addition, Rinsch must attend an outpatient mental health programme, stay off intoxicants, and surrender into custody on 1 September.

A version of this article first appeared on Broadcast International’s sister title Screen